The Penn's Grove record., 1887-01-22

BllliHlk dllOilB NV oLSh 1ha'NASf 49,
were her especial care. Yet, when the
death film gathered owe childish eyes,
no voice could soften the dark passage
to the grave VI h sweeter, more earnest
words of comfort and promise than
Nettie's.
Seeing her thus, through the long
weeks of toll and danger, asking her
aid where money was urgently needed,
finding her at her post where the air
was thick with fever and the danger
frightfully near, Alfred Martin grew to
consider the beautiful dark face as
fairer than his ideal Of angels and to
think there was no music like NettIe's
clear, melodious voice. By the magne-
tlsm of his own true, earnest words, he
had led her from frivollty to the seek-
ing Of higher aims and duties, n by
the power of the strong love wakened
in his own heart he drew hers into his
keeping. She loved, as she followed all
| other impulses, with fervent and deep
affection, while she was daily meeting
her love and the guide to all the no5lest
pursuits of her life.
Mrs. Wheaton, a meek little widow,
was only too glad to think OF her child's
future intrusted to the care of a really
good man, as she believed the Rev.
Alfred Martin to be, and gave glad con.
sent to an engagement. And while au-
tumn winds we're sweeping the fever
from Morton, Nettie was learning the
sweet lesson of loving submission to a
stronger will, was c%onquerlng many a
| life. long seldshness and folly to please
her betrothed, and believing that she
| had lost all relish for the frlyolitles OF
the past.
Had the marriage followed at once
| upon the wooing, | think there would
have been happiness at the pa'sonage,
where the influence of tue earnest min
lister would have deepened till Nettle
no longer needed any earthly guide or
support. But Mrs. Wheaton decided
| that the BRIDES trousseau must come
from b, and when the new year
opened Nettie went to her Aunt Mary's
| to remain till milliners and dressmakerS
| completed her outfit. The wedding
was to be in March, and while Aust
Mary shopped and stitched, Nettie took
/ farewell of the gayeties of her city
home. She did not mean to be incon-
sistent or to break any of the good res
buttons of the past few months, but
old friends welcomed her with festival
gatherings, and before she realized 1t
the was dancing, flirting and fitting
from party to party with all her old
zsst and enjoyment.
Then, just for amusement, she al.
lowed the new lion, Count Lodoski, to
pay her marked attention. She told
herself she was safe In her happy en-
gagement, and that he was too much q
man of society to have any serious in
tentions.
1t was a mere filtration for both of
them, and it served to PASS away time
to listen to the stories of the Polish ex-
ie, to waltz with him, drive, walk, ride
with him, and yet, with a woman's
skill and a ~coquette's ingenuity, keep
him from any compromising offer that
would end the amusement.
The term of Nettie's visit was nearly
over, when the entertainment at Mrs.
Hunts called together a large number
of her old friends and new admirers.
Count Lodoski was more ardent than
usual in his expressions of admiration,
and Nettie was uncomfortably con-
/ SclOuS lIldI hC Wdo PAOouIilhb dROA SHS
announcement he had received. The
evening passed quickly, and 1t was near
supper time when the count, with a
courteous bow, offered his arm to Net
tie for a stroll through the conserva-
tory, where a number of couples were
ENJOYING the cool, fragrant air, after a
dizzy waltz. They were chatting gayly
of the pleasures of the past few weeks,
of the coming festivals before Lent,
when Nettie, looking up, found they
were the sole occupants OF the conserY-
atory.
The strains of the newest galop fully
explained the absence of their former
companions, and the girl was moving
quickly toward the door, when he
count gently but firmly held her back.
She realized in an instant tho position
which her own folly had brought her,
but tried to effect Inconsistencies
still.
ST am engaged for this galop count y
she said, with her usual sweet smile,
80 YOU must not detain me now."
vYet for a while you will stay with
me,o said the handsome foreigner in
his strongly accented English. 81
must say a few words with you"
"Another time!'
"Nowl"
The mans voice had a ring Of au-
thority that Nsttie pesented instantly.
LET me passl" she said, haughtily.
"You forget yourself strangely SIR"
'I forget all but love when l am near
you " he cried, and broke into a stream
of e~loquence, an unmiStakable offer of
heart and hand, more than limiting that
he was sure of a return of his ardently
expressed devotion.
In vain Nettie e~ndeavored to check
the flow of words, every one of which
she felt vas an insult to the man she
really loved, in spite of her foolish van
ity, and to when she had promised
faithful affection. The count spoke so
rapidly that not until he paused for his
reply could Nettle find an opportunity
even to speak.
Then, in a faltering voice, half.choked
by her ~contendlng emotions, she de-
clined the honor of an alliance with the
Polish nobleman.
"You cannot mean to refuse me -
he cried, in genuine establishment;
''you can not that you have been
coquettipg so heartlesslyl"
II mean that l must decline your
proposal" she answered, more firmly,
sand request you to allow me to pass"
"But, Miss Wheaton -Nettiel You
love me; surely you would not let me so
deceive myself, You love mel There
is some bar perhaps to our marriage;
but you love me-"
81 am already betrothed," the girl
said desperately, not conscious of the
Interpretation her words admitted of
until a third voice spoke.
Consider yourself free, Miss Whea-
ton, il you love this manln said Mr..
Martin, stepping into the room. PAR
don my intrusion. | came unexpect-
eddy to the city. and your aunt told me
you were here. Mrs. Hunt kindly d.
rected me TO this room, where / lnd my
r. A.